LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to revive his struggling government but faced growing calls Saturday to resign after a disastrous set of local and regional elections for his Labour Party.As the final results came in Saturday, Labour suffered a net loss of more than 1,100 local council seats across England, lost control of several local authorities it had held for decades and was booted from power in Wales after 27 years. Anti-immigration party Reform UK gained over 1,300 seats across England and made significant gains in legislative elections in Wales and Scotland.It was a blunt verdict from voters in elections widely seen as an unofficial referendum on Starmer, whose popularity has plummeted since he led the center-left party to power less than two years ago.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaking to the media after meeting Labour Party members during a visit to AFC Wimbledon in south London, Saturday May 9, 2026. (Maja Smiejkowska/PA via AP)
Here are five things we’ve learned from the elections.
Starmer is on borrowed timeStarmer insisted he would not walk away and “plunge the country into chaos.” “The right thing to do is rebuild and show the path forward,” Starmer said Saturday. “That’s what I’m going to do in the coming days.”Starmer’s Cabinet colleagues expressed support, and none of the high-profile Labour politicians considered potential challengers made a move against him. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham have kept quiet so far.
